“You Need To Stop Being Muslim For A Second”: Rockets Legend Dishes Out Outrageous Advice After Hakeem Olajuwon Was Denied Access by Security

The Houston Cougars defeated the Duke Blue Devils 70-67 in the NCAA Tournament Final Four, triggering celebrations from the players and the team’s fans who witnessed the game at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The legendary Hakeem Olajuwon, a former Cougars player, wanted to step onto the court to share the moment with the current crop of players. But he couldn’t.

Olajuwon’s tenure with the Cougars, from 1981 to 1984, saw him lead the side into the NCAA Tournament Final twice, in his last two years. He then played for the Houston Rockets for almost the entirety of his NBA career and won two championships. ‘The Dream’ is inarguably the biggest Houston basketball legend of all time.

Since his journey into the upper echelons of the game began with the Cougars after he migrated from Nigeria, Olajuwon has a special connection with the team. Naturally, he wanted to celebrate the success with the players. However, as soon as the 62-year-old tried to step onto the floor, security personnel stopped him.

Someone from the Cougars entourage tried to vouch for him, but he was still denied. Olajuwon had to step back, clearly looking deflated. The incident angered a lot of fans and former players.

Another Houston legend, Vernon Maxwell, reacted on X: “Oh hell nah Dream you need to stop being Muslim for a second and ask that guy ‘What did the 5 fingers say to the face?’”

Mad Max was suggesting Olajuwon should’ve slapped the security. It’s indeed an outrageous piece of advice, but very trademark Maxwell. As for the ‘Stop being a Muslim’ comment, he was referring to Olajuwon’s belief in non-violence being a practicing Muslim.

Olajuwon became a Muslim during his playing career with the Rockets, much before he was granted U.S. citizenship in 1993. Years back, he faced a serious controversy linked to his religious beliefs and practice.

Back in 2005, the Rockets legend had to convince the Treasury Department and the media about his innocence when allegations surfaced that he was supporting terror groups such as Al-Qaeda and Hamas.

Olajuwon was accused of donating more than $80,000 to multiple charities via his mosque, which were linked to terror groups. It turned out that the former player was misled by the charities. Olajuwon was told that he was helping the needy in Africa. His innocence in the matter was proven later.

Coming back to the NCAA incident, the security personnel were merely doing their jobs. They, possibly, were briefed not to allow anyone other than the team members and officials onto the floor.

The NBA legend has yet to comment on the incident. Knowing Olajuwon, this would be something he would like to move on from as soon as he can.

He, after all, was there not to get a spotlight on him, but to support Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars, of whom he is a true fan.

Olajuwon admires how Sampson runs the Houston program

Instead of the incident, Olajuwon focused on praising the program run by coach Sampson and how he trains his athletes.

“If you can play for him [Sampson], you can play for anybody. I’m very proud of Coach and the culture that he has built, and I’m proud of his players,” Olajuwon told PaperCity.

“They are good guys. When they signed with UH, they bought into the culture, knowing that Coach Sampson is going to push them and they’re going to work hard. His concept is to get tough guys and make them tougher,” he added.

The Cougars will now play the Florida Gators in the championship game, and Olajuwon is confident of their chances.

“It’s amazing what Coach Sampson and those boys have accomplished every year, but this year, it’s special. They’re playing with a load of confidence,” said Olajuwon.

If his team does go on to win the trophy, Olajuwon might even forget the security incident ever happened. Hopefully, by then, the guards will also be briefed about allowing this gentle and unassuming basketball legend onto the court.